Reactions To Sixers Hiring Bryan Colangelo
The Sixers earlier Sunday introduced Bryan Colangelo as president of basketball operations during a press conference. Here are some highlights, news and reactions:
- Colangelo said Sixers coach Brett Brown “deserves an opportunity to coach this basketball team and see this process through,” but also added, “there will be a lot of movement in management and maybe with the coaches, too,” Jake Fischer of SI Now relays (Twitter links).
- Interestingly, Jerry Colangelo wasn’t involved in the hiring of Bryan Colangelo, at least according to Sixers owner Josh Harris, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets. Jerry Colangelo is no longer the chairman of basketball operations but will remain as a special adviser to the team, the Sixers announced.
- Harris also noted he was surprised that former Sixers GM Sam Hinkie penned a 13-page resignation letter, Pompey tweets.
- The Sixers began having discussions with Bryan Colangelo at the beginning of the year, tweets CSN Philly’s Jessica Camerato, who also noted the Sixers’ newest addition referred to the franchise’s last three years as a success and “measured rebuilding process.”
- With potentially four first round picks in June, Bryan Colangelo has no shortage of assets this summer to work with, Bob Cooney of The Philadelphia Daily News writes. Bryan Colangelo said the Sixers will be shifting their focus toward winning, Cooney adds.
Hoops Links: Ibaka, Knicks, Durant
Every Sunday, we link to some of the very best work from around the basketball blogosphere. Do you have a link to a great basketball blog post – either your own or someone else’s – that you want to see featured on Hoops Rumors? Then you should send it to us at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here’s this week’s rundown …
- The Runner Sports examines if Phil Jackson wants out of New York.
- The Sports Quotient explains how Serge Ibaka can help the Thunder win the West.
- Sport and Exercise Psychology discusses the retirement process for Kobe Bryant.
- Only In Boston wonders if Kevin Durant would ever join the Celtics.
- Canis Hoopus discusses what the Wolves should do with Shabazz Muhammad.
- Denver Stiffs profiles draft prospect Marquese Chriss.
- Pounding The Rock details how the Spurs can defend the Warriors.
Please send submissions for Hoops Links to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
Pistons Notes: Jackson, Van Gundy, Harris
Pistons coach/executive Stan Van Gundy‘s roster overhaul paid off significantly as Detroit clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2008/09, David Mayo of MLive details. Andre Drummond and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are the only remaining players from the roster Van Gundy inherited 23 months ago, as Mayo writes. Van Gundy made his first blockbuster addition with the February 2015 trade for Reggie Jackson, positioning the team for this run, Mayo adds. Jackson has become one of the league’s top point guards after serving as a backup with the Thunder prior to joining Detroit.
Here’s more out of the Motor City:
- Landing Tobias Harris in a trade at the deadline with the Magic worked out similarly to when the Pistons acquired Rasheed Wallace in 2004 because they are both power forwards who played significant roles in Detroit making the playoffs, Mayo writes in a separate piece. By trading for Harris, Van Gundy illustrated that the Pistons should be considered as a serious playoff contender, Mayo adds. “When I came over in the trade, there was one thing I texted coach about, and that was making the playoffs,” Harris said. “I just told him that was one of my biggest goals and I’m here to help you guys do that. And it would be a job undone for me, mission unaccomplished, if we didn’t make the playoffs, and I’d be pretty devastated.”
- The future looks bright for the Pistons because most of the key players in the rotation are under contract beyond this season and team still has some flexibility to make another addition in the offseason, Rod Beard of the Detroit News opines.
- With more on how Jackson transformed into a quite a catch for the Pistons, Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press details how the point guard is one of the league’s most clutch shooters in an interesting profile.
Pelicans Sign Jordan Hamilton For Rest Of Season
MONDAY, 2:01pm: The signing is official, the team announced. The move restores New Orleans to an 18-man roster.
SUNDAY, 3:26pm: The Pelicans plan to sign swingman Jordan Hamilton to a deal that will cover the rest of the season, Rod Walker of the New Orleans Advocate reports (Twitter link). New Orleans has six games left to play, not including today’s victory over the Nets. Hamilton’s 10-day contract expires overnight.
The Pelicans first signed Hamilton on March 25th via the hardship provision. New Orleans has experienced a rash of injuries this season. Hamilton, 25, played well in five games. He scored in double figures in all but one outing and averaged 11 points, 5 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game.
Hamilton had signed with the Russian club Krasny Oktyabr in August but parted ways with the team in November. He joined the Rockets’ D-League affiliate in February and appeared in 14 games, averaging 14.9 points, 9.4 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 29.2 minutes per contest. The 6’7” Hamilton appeared in 14 games for the Clippers during the 2014/15 season, averaging 2.7 points, 1.1 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 8.7 minutes per game.
Hoops Links: Russell, Knicks, Harris
Every Sunday, we link to some of the very best work from around the basketball blogosphere. Do you have a link to a great basketball blog post – either your own or someone else’s – that you want to see featured on Hoops Rumors? Then you should send it to us at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here’s this week’s rundown …
- The Runner Sports lists soon-to-be free agents the Knicks should target.
- The Sports Quotient runs down five of the league’s most quirky players.
- HBT Sports examines D’Angelo Russell‘s most recent troubles.
- Detroit Bad Boys explains how Tobias Harris has improved his teammates’ numbers.
- Posting and Toasting catches up with Derrick Williams.
- Raptors HQ has a reason why Toronto fans should feel uncertain about the playoffs.
- Clips Nation argues the Grizzlies would be a favorable matchup for the Clippers.
Please send submissions for Hoops Links to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
Pistons Notes: Draft, Jackson, Van Gundy
Pistons assistant GM Brian Wright, who is in charge of the team’s college and international scouting, understands why some may think there is a greater chance of Detroit trading its first round pick since it was included in the voided trade for Donatas Motiejunas, but added the team’s process is the same in terms of draft preparation in an interesting Q&A with David Mayo of MLive.
“Obviously, we’re a young team and winning in the NBA is tough to do when you’re a young team,” Wright said. “But I do think you just prepare. If it’s drafting an 18- or 19-year-old, then you draft the 18- or 19-year-old if that’s the guy who’s going to help your team. Or if there’s something else there that makes you better, then you look at that. From all standpoints, I think we discuss it as a group and whatever’s best for the organization is what we’ll do.”
Here’s more out of Detroit:
- Pistons GM Jeff Bower told Noah Coslov of Bleacher Report that he has seen Reggie Jackson celebrate in the past similarly to the way he did recently against the Thunder, Jackson’s former team (Twitter link). Jackson’s reaction after Detroit’s win against the Thunder drew criticism from some Oklahoma City players.
- Speaking of Jackson, he must take a step forward in order for the Pistons to be considered as a serious contender in the near future, Rod Beard of the Detroit News argues. A good showing in the postseason would help, of course, too, Beard adds. The Pistons are seventh in the East with a 41-36 record.
- Several bold moves executed by executive/coach Stan Van Gundy, such as trading for Jackson, drafting Stanley Johnson and acquiring Tobias Harris are why the Pistons are in position to earn a spot in the postseason, Beard opines in a separate column. The next step for Van Gundy is to find complementary pieces for the team’s nucleus, Beard writes.
Hoops Links: Rondo, Warriors, Suns
Every Sunday, we link to some of the very best work from around the basketball blogosphere. Do you have a link to a great basketball blog post – either your own or someone else’s – that you want to see featured on Hoops Rumors? Then you should send it to us at HoopsLinks@gmail.com. Here’s this week’s rundown …
- The Runner Sports wonders if the Knicks need to sign Rajon Rondo to keep Carmelo Anthony.
- Golden State Of Mind looks into how many 3-pointers Klay Thompson will make this season.
- Grizzly Bear Blues takes an optimistic view of the Grizzlies’ season.
- Liberty Ballers examines Dario Saric‘s season overseas.
- Bright Side Of The Sun debates whether Isaiah Thomas or Devin Booker is the better fit for the Suns.
- Peachtree Hoops details how Tim Hardaway Jr. is now making an impact with the Hawks.
Please send submissions for Hoops Links to Zach at HoopsLinks@gmail.com.
Sixers Sign Christian Wood To 10-Day, Waive Weems
The Sixers signed Christian Wood to a 10-day contract and waived Sonny Weems, the team announced via press release. Wood had been playing for the Delaware 87ers, the Sixers’ D-League affiliate.
Stephen Zimmerman To Enter Draft
UNLV freshman center Stephen Zimmerman plans to enter this year’s draft, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reports. Zimmerman, 19, plans to sign with an agent, according to Wojnarowski. That means he won’t be able to withdraw and return to college basketball before the NCAA’s May 25th deadline, as Wojnarowski notes.
The 7’0″ Zimmerman has the potential to get selected near the top half of the draft, per Wojnarowski, because he is a mobile big man and is adept at blocking shots. His 2.0 blocks per contest were second in the Mountain West Conference this year.
Zimmerman also averaged 10.5 points and 8.7 rebounds per game for UNLV this season. He is ranked No. 26 on Jonathan Givony’s list for DraftExpress and No. 38 with Chad Ford of ESPN.com.
Knicks Notes: Walton, Porzingis, Anthony
Luke Walton, who will enter the summer as a popular candidate for some of the league’s head coaching vacancies, including the Knicks’, should remain with the Warriors as an assistant, his father, Bill Walton, said while appearing on ESPN’s First Take (and as Ian Begley of ESPN.com relays). Luke Walton will likely be on Knicks president Phil Jackson‘s list of candidates, Begley writes, adding that Luke Walton knows the Knicks’ triangle offense and played for Jackson while both were with the Lakers. Knicks interim coach Kurt Rambis will also be considered for New York’s head coaching position, Begley notes. The Knicks are 7-12 since Rambis took over after Derek Fisher was fired in February.
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis wouldn’t want to see Carmelo Anthony leave the team next season because he wants to continue to learn from Anthony, but he also is not worried about it because he believes the superstar enjoys New York, Stefan Bondy of The New York Daily News writes. “Obviously I want him to stay here. We need him. I need him,” Porzingis said. “And we don’t want to lose him.” The pairing of Porzingis and Anthony has yielded positive results, as Bondy points out. The duo is a plus-66 this season through 1,471 minutes, according to Bondy.
- Speaking of Anthony, he has squashed talks of waiving his no-trade clause to play with the Cavs, Fred Kerber of The New York Post relays. “I don’t want to talk about that man, I’d rather not talk about a no-trade clause after losing,” Anthony said. “I don’t want to talk about that no more this season to be honest with you.”